Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1887-05-25
Written for THE SUNDAY MINER
and LITTLE EDITH.
BY MRS. LOUIE CuULsON.

BY MRS. LOUIE CnULsoN.
One bright sunny afternoon in the love
lest month of the year-May-grandpa
and little Edith went out for a long pleas
ant walk. Grandpa wanted to go to the
public park, as he VAS old and feeble, and
knew that if he felt tired he could sit down
on one OF the many benches placed at con-
venient intervals under the shade trees,
and rest. But little Edith wanted to go
out beyond the suburbs. to the hill side.
where the wild flowers grew SO luxuriantly
and beautifully. and where she could
gather them without fear of restriction,
SO she said:
ooh, grandpa, let's not go to the man
made park, where we have to just keep
right on the gcavel walk and only look.
We cannot touch a single flower. cause
the man walks up and down all the time
and looks so cross, and l want to gather a
nice big bright bouquet for dear. sweet
grandma. You know she loves flowers,
just like she did when she was a little girl
Ike me. and then grandma has to sit in the
great big chair all day long, and ma says
that l am young and must take grandma's
steps for her."
Little Eaith's argument prevailed for
grandpa could not resist the sweet sensitive
pleading OF his favGrite grandcbild, es-
pecially when she referred to the lifelong
companion of his declining years He, too,
could remember when the sweet face
through old and -wrinkled, that daily
turned with a smile If trust and calm as
surance of his love, to meet him, was not
always SO helpless as now, and they walk
along, Edith. joyous, laughing and skipping
here and there, first to pick up a pretty
pebble, then to pluck a wild flower, grandpa
is studying up the pages OF the past. He is
thinking of the days when they, too. gath
cred wild flowers together, laughing and
chatting the while.
His mind goes stumbling back over all
the rough mountainous ways and by-ways
of fifty years or more, and he can so wildly
recall all of the sweet shy glances, the
innocent, graceful courtesies, the timid
caresses OF dear grandma, as a sweetheart
remembers the vows he SO solemnlys.and
sacredly made. The great manly heart he
priceless, uublemished lips that sealed their
betrothal. Again he stands at the holy
and sacred altar of marriage.
Dear old grandma was so beautiful then;
she is beautiful to him yet, but that bright
spring morning, of all mornings in his long
eventful life, remains fresh and sweet in
his memory As she stands as an angel OF
love and tenderness beside the door OF
heavens blessed edifice, the old stone
church, all radiant in her loving splendor,
wreathed in Gods flowers OF natural
bloom, the sun shone brightly through the
deep windows, showing the lily Wilderness of
brown and the soft, swan like throat. CIV
ing a glimpse OF the delicate pink tinge on
beautiful as a bride, but grandpa thinks
her lovelier as the tried and trusted wife of
SO many long years of care and toll, OF Joy
and gladness.
But grandpa wanders IN. Those are
sweet reflections. Then he remembers
changes, he takes his girl bride away from
home and kindred, among strangers. But
what matters, their love is strong and
steadfast and all sufficient to assure their
content and happiness. Their world is
within their own Jour walls. Their interest
is in each others welfare.
Now, grandpa's mind comes to another
morning-just as the sun arose over their
mountain home, bursting through the
clouds OF early dawn-radient, refulgent
with such brightness and gladness hat the
OiIo "CuU NItOlbS ," uouSh W oouSh III
a newer song, a sweeter trill than they
thought they had ever heard before. All!
that beautiful morn, there came into their
home a babe, not unlike the habe Of Beth
lehem, for it came to bless their love, their
hearts and their home. And grandma,
then the young mother, looked, ah, 80
beautiful, SO precious to grandpa.
Many years sped by. Other babies
have come, and all have only
added new pleasures and other links to
their chain OF happiness and his devo-
ton.
And yet another time comes up in the
train of poor Old grandpa's reflections.
When the low meanings of sufferings were
stilled; the curtains drawn; the shutters
closed; the light shut out; the sound OF
ting voice hushed; the bright blue eyes
closed. Baby is dead. The little coffin
was brought in. all robed in spotless white.
Their precious angelis placed in the pearly
casket. Grandpa and grandma stood by
an open grave and saw the bosom of
mother earth receive their darling. All,
now they are bound by close ties, ties OF
heaven n earth; and looking into each
others faces, lives and hearts, they with
one accord bow in humble submission to
Gods will and decree and not without hopes.
They wend their way more closely
united. They had an interest on earth to
guard, and they had one guarded in
Heaven. One by one the years roll on,
their other children are roaming the earth
in different fields OF labor; grandpa and
grandma nave grown old together, their
children's children make glad their hearts,
and we come back to little Edith, skipping
from flower to flower, intent on gathering
that bright bouquet orpoor helpless grand
ma.
Grandpa is tired. As he sits on a log
resting his hands and chin on his cane, his
thoughts come back to time and place. and
he delights in seeing Edith in her pretty oc-
cupation Of gathering flowers. He thinks
time to 60 home. His afternoon retlec-
tions have been both pleasant
and profitable pleasant that through
all the long years OF shadow
and sunshine the companion
his youth has ever been a true and low
ing helpmeet, till the companion of his
old age, ever the same loving, devoted wife.
Their love is the deeper and more sacred
than in the heyday of their youth, and in
trust, with complete assurance OF
4 long land useful life, well spent in the
help for each other, and in helping Others.
ever bowling to the will OF Him who rules
the universe, they are now vending their
way home; waiting at the pearly gates for
the callof their Saviouran Master to enter
into life Everlasting. Let us hope that
little Edith will still continue
Gathering flowers for grandma,
With fingers nimble aud fair,
Gathering flowers for grandma,
Sitting in the great arm chair.
Gathering flowers for grandma.
With her face so calm and sweet,
Gathering flowers for grandma,
Where earth and heaven meet.
Surely the flowers are of heaven.
Grandma is with us still,
The flowers are Gods blessing
Gathered from off His hill.
Gathering flowers fer grandma,
To brighten her cosy room.
Gathering flowers for grandma.
To cheer her journey home.
MONTANA MATTERS.